MN03 5 , CD3 DFL

Phillips Introduces Bipartisan Ethics Reform Bill to Prohibit Lobbying by Elected Officials

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Reps. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Van Taylor (R-TX) introduced H.R. 2902, the Elected Official Lobbying Prohibition Act. This bipartisan legislation would close a long-standing loophole that allows elected officials to lobby on behalf of private clients.

Under current law, state and local officials can leverage their political influence to advance the goals of private sector patrons and special interests. H.R. 2902 would end that corrupt practice once and for all. However, the bill does not prohibit state and local officials from advocating at the federal level on behalf of their constituents. The complete text of H.R. 2902 can be found here.

“This isn’t controversial – elected officials should serve the people, not their pocketbook,” said Rep. Phillips. “Current law allows our leaders to lobby Washington on behalf of special interests, never mind the needs of their constituents. That is a blatant betrayal of the public trust, and it must be prohibited immediately. This bipartisan legislation is a victory for the American people and a much-needed step toward restoring their faith in our government.”

Phillips Opens Voting for Congressional Art Competition “People’s Choice Aaward” – Now Featuring Ranked Choice Ballots

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) invited Minnesotans to begin voting for the 2021 Congressional Art Competition “People’s Choice Award.” Forty-seven talented students from nine high schools across Minnesota’s Third District submitted incredible works of art for the national competition. For the first time in MN-03 history, the People’s Choice Award will be decided using Ranked Choice Voting, a system of voting that is proven to build consensus and discourage division. In addition to the Congressional Art Competition, Rep. Phillips supports the use of Ranked Choice Voting to decide comparatively lower-stakes elections, such as U.S. congressional races.

“Throughout the most challenging year in generations, our young people have shown remarkable resilience and spirit” said Rep. Phillips. “That is abundantly clear in all of this year’s submissions, which are among the most moving and impressive works my office has seen in the three years we’ve hosted the Congressional Art Competition. Congratulations to all of the extraordinary students who submitted works of art, our judges and voters have a challenging task ahead!”

Following Apportionment Announcement, Phillips Underscores Need for Unity, Advocacy, and Action to Ensure Fair Treatment for Our State

Minnesota sends billions more to Washington each year than it receives in federal aid

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Census Bureau announced that Minnesota will maintain eight congressional seats in the 2021 reapportionment process:

“Minnesota’s high Census participation rates and population growth over the past decade means we’ll be keeping our representation, and clout, in Congress,” said Rep. Phillips. “That’s outstanding news. Minnesotans contribute more than our fair share to Washington, and I’m renewing my mission to bring more support back to our communities. This issue affects all Minnesotans, and I invite people and representatives of all political perspectives to join me in redoubling our efforts to advocate for the federal investments we deserve – and need – in this Congress and beyond.”

In addition to determining the number of congressional districts within each state, the U.S. Census also impacts the distribution of trillions of dollars in federal funding for programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Head Start. Reduced federal funding would have a particularly large impact on Minnesota, which currently pays $1.8 billion more to the federal government each year than it receives in support.

Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3): Small Business Relief Information for You

Hi Neighbors,

As a small business owner, I know that the challenges facing our nation’s job-creators have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner (or know one!), new relief options may be available to help you weather this storm. Read on to learn more, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if we can be of assistance during this extraordinarily difficult time:

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTOR LOAN (EIDL) UPDATE

The Small Business Administration (SBA) began the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program at the start of the pandemic. The SBA announced they have increased the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through the program. The SBA has raised the loan limit from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

Rep. Phillips on the Derek Chauvin Verdict

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dean Phillips issued the following statement:

“Justice was served for George Floyd today, but America’s work, our work, to ensure justice, safety and opportunity FOR ALL will continue with even more intention, more fortitude, and more purpose. Onwards in unity.”

Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3): Difficult Truths

Hi Neighbors,

This week our community experienced more heartbreak, said more prayers, and saw more carnage. As we continue to grapple with the killing of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center and await a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, I believe I speak for most Americans when I say injustice must be protested, journalists, and the First Amendment must be protected, and encouraging violent confrontation must be rejected.

Let me be clear – Racial injustice is real. Protesting injustice is lawful and warranted. Criminal looting and burning destroys our communities and small businesses is wrong. We can believe all of these things at once, and I’m on a mission help our community confront difficult truths and do better together. Will you join me?

Phillips Decries Moocher States, Calls for More Investment in Minnesota

Minnesota is one of just eight states to contribute more each year to Washington than it receives in federal aid.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) engaged in a whole-of-government strategy to call out systemic underinvestment and tax fairness in Minnesota, from advocacy at the White House to the House Transportation & Infrastructure. On balance, Minnesotans currently pays out more than $1.8 billion each year to federal coffers without seeing that money invested locally. Meanwhile states like Kentucky receive $63 billion morefrom D.C. than they share in federal taxes.

In light of this imbalance, Phillips announced his co-sponsorship of the Payer State Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill that would require yearly reports on the disparities in federal spending and taxation across American states. These disparities—which often manifest as higher taxes, higher government debt, and underdevelopment—have only grown more pronounced since the cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction was implemented in 2017.

Rep. Phillips: Economic Impact Payments

Hi Neighbors,

The American Rescue Plan recently authorized a third round of stimulus checks, or Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) to aid our economic recovery. No action is needed by the vast majority of taxpayers to receive their EIP, but I also recognize that the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) distribution of EIPs has not come without challenges. This has resulted in some eligible individuals missing one, two, or all three rounds of payments. That is why I want to provide you with accurate information about EIPs and the IRS’s solution to obtaining those missing payments:

What Is An Economic Impact Payment?

The bipartisan law that passed in March 2021 authorized a new round of $1,400 economic impact payments (EIP). While millions of payments have already been sent, I am hearing from folks that may have not received theirs.

If you didn’t receive your earlier $1,200 or $600 payment from 2020, or have not yet received the $1,400 from 2021, you may still be eligible. Below you will find information about how you can get yours, and what kind of help may be available.

Phillips Renews Support for Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced the reintroduction of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA), bold legislation that would utilize market forces to combat climate change and incentivize the speedy transition to a clean energy economy. The bill earned 86 bipartisan co-sponsors in the previous Congress, and Rep. Phillips is an original co-sponsor.

The bill creates a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund for the American people to encourage innovation, clean energy technologies, and market efficiencies that will reduce pollution and leave behind a healthier and more prosperous nation for future generations. It includes carbon fee exemptions for fuels used by the armed forces and agriculture, and it provides rebates to facilities that capture and sequester carbon.

The bill would decrease U.S. carbon emissions by 40% in the first twelve years and is revenue neutral, returning every cent raised from carbon fees back to American consumers in the form of monthly dividends. The EICDA positions the United States to meet the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 set by President Biden.

After Worst Year for Gun Violence in Decades, Phillips Demands Status Report on Gun Violence Research

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) sent a letter to the directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) demanding a status report on the progress of taxpayer-funded research on gun violence, as well as an estimate for when that research will yield actionable recommendations for policymakers. Phillips’s letter comes after the recent tragic shootings in Colorado and Georgia along with House passage of bipartisan legislation to strengthen background checks and keep communities safe.

Phillips also recently co-sponsored the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act, which authorizes $250 million in funding to the CDC to study gun violence over the next five years. In 2018, Congress authorized $50 million to fund gun violence research at the CDC and NIH, but experts say that additional funding is sorely needed to complete that research and identify life-saving solutions to America’s gun violence epidemic.

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Minnesota sends billions more to Washington each year than it receives in federal aid

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What Is An Economic Impact Payment?

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